A high-stakes meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska ended on Friday without any agreement on Ukraine, despite Trump’s claims of “great progress”. The talks, billed as a potential breakthrough in the conflict, concluded abruptly with the US president declining to take questions from reporters.
Talks fail to produce outcome
The brief discussions, held in Anchorage, were aimed at addressing the ongoing war in Ukraine and exploring the possibility of renewed ceasefire arrangements. However, no joint statement was issued, and neither side provided details of concrete commitments. Observers noted the absence of any visible framework for negotiations, leaving the future of talks uncertain.
Trump’s optimistic tone
Speaking to the press, Trump described the meeting as “very constructive” and insisted progress had been made, but he offered no specifics. His remarks were cut short as he ended the press conference earlier than expected, avoiding questions on whether Russia had agreed to scale back military operations or commit to further diplomatic channels.
Putin’s cautious remarks
For his part, Putin was more measured, acknowledging “open and frank discussions” but giving no indication that Moscow was prepared to shift its stance. Russian media reported that the Kremlin continues to view Ukrainian territorial concessions as central to any settlement, a position Kyiv has consistently rejected.
Ukrainian response
Officials in Kyiv reacted with scepticism, expressing frustration at the lack of clear results. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reiterated that Ukraine will not accept any deal that compromises its sovereignty or cedes territory to Russia, emphasising that only full withdrawal of Russian forces could pave the way for meaningful peace talks.
Geopolitical implications
The inconclusive meeting highlights the enduring gulf between Washington and Moscow. Analysts warned that the lack of tangible progress could embolden Russia to prolong its campaign in Ukraine while undermining Western unity. European leaders expressed concern over the absence of a joint roadmap and stressed the importance of continued support for Ukraine.
What comes next
Attention now turns to the upcoming G20 summit, where Ukraine is expected to dominate the agenda. Diplomats say the Alaska talks may serve as a prelude to more detailed negotiations, though expectations remain low. For Ukraine and its allies, the meeting has reinforced the need for clarity, consistency and a united front against Russian aggression.
REFH – Newshub, 16 August 2025
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